Gambit's 2017 guide to Louisiana fairs and festivals: May

Zack Smith PhotographyVisitors to the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience sample food and wine during the Royal Street Stroll. This year’s event is May 25 through 28.

1-3 — NOLA Crawfish Festival(Central City BBQ, 1201 S. Rampart St., 504-558-4276; www.nolacrawfishfest.com) — The festival includes three days of music from George Porter Jr., John Medeski, Jon Cleary, Ivan Neville and dozens of others, with sit-ins and special collaborations among artists on the schedule. The festival also features more than 5,000 pounds of boiled crawfish, craft beer and barbecue. Twenty teams will compete in the Ultimate Crawfish Cook-off on Wednesday. 3 p.m.-10 p.m. daily. $35-$125 single day tickets, $99-$500 three-day passes.

Wednesdays-May 24 — Wednesday at the Square — See March 15 for event description.

Thursdays-November — Thursdays at Twilight Garden Concert Series — See March 16 for event description.

4-7 — New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival — See April 28 for description.

13 — Crawfish Mambo(University of New Orleans Lakefront Campus, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, 504-280-2586; www.crawfishmambo.com) — The festival is focused on crawfish and music, featuring a crawfish cook-off, all-you-can-eat boiled crawfish, food vendors, arts and crafts and a kids' area. Contestants from across the U.S. will compete
in the Crawfish Eating World Championship. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $20 in advance, $25 at the door, children 7 and younger free.

13 — Greater New Orleans International Dragon Boat Festival(403 St. Francis St., Madisonville; www.gwndragonboat.com) — There are several races, as well as food and drink vendors, a health and wellness village and more. The event is alcohol-free. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Race registration starts at $795.

25-28 — New Orleans Wine & Food Experience(Various locations, New Orleans; www.nowfe.com) — There is a variety of events, grand tastings, seminars, the Royal Street Stroll tasting event and more at the 25th annual festival. Times and admissions vary.